Year of the Monkey

Spring Festival in China, a Personal Story

Is it the Chinese Year of the Goat, Sheep or Ram? The Chinese word 羊 (Yáng) is somewhat generic, referring to goats or sheep of either gender, so you can take your pick. And by the way, “Spring Festival,” I’ve been informed, is the more accurate name for the holiday. A festival sounds more fun to me than [...]

By Ramona McKean|2024-02-09T18:14:06-08:00February 22nd, 2015|China & Chinese Culture, Language of the Heart, Spirit Matters|36 Comments

Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival 2005!

Welcome to a Mini-City of Ice! The result of much expertise and industriousness, Harbin's International Ice and Snow Festival (Hā'ěrbīn Guójì Bīngxuě Jié), has got to be the most exciting winter celebration on earth! And it' s the perfect place--in Northern China, not far from Russia, with winds blowing in from Siberia. Yup, Harbin's a cold place in [...]

By Ramona McKean|2017-05-28T18:37:23-07:00January 11th, 2014|China & Chinese Culture|27 Comments

“Ramona McKean, in Dancing in the Heart of the Dragon, makes a truly great and important statement, not just about China but about the human race. She understands that our grandchildren’s future depends largely on understanding between Chinese and Westerners. Her gripping story powerfully reveals why and how this understanding is possible. The outlook on life, the philosophy is tremendous, shared with simple, direct, honest eloquence, no tricks, no holds barred, no preaching. When all is said and done, at the end of the day it’s about having a good heart. Ramona has a good heart. I am proud to support her story.”

Sidney Rittenberg, author of The Man Who Stayed Behind, journalist, scholar, Chinese linguist, Professor of China Studies at Pacific Lutheran University, and subject of the documentary The Revolutionary